Vehicle draw bar



Oct. l5, 1.946.

' M. A. RICHARDSON VEHICLE DRAW'BAR Filed oct. 2, 1940 2 sheets-sheet 1 ,M3U R@ A. m T m Mw.

Ocrzt. 15', 1946. M A, RICHARDSON 2,409,313

VHICLE` DRAW BAR Filed oct. 2, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MART/N A. R/CHARDSON Patented Oct. n l 5, 1946 t VEHICLE DRAW BAR Martin A. Richardson, Racine, Wis., assigner to J. I. Case Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation 'Application october 2, 1940, serial Nassasio z claims. (c1. aso-33.4)

The present invention relates to balers and an object thereof is to generally improve the construction and operation of devices of this class. Further objects are to provide an improved feeder head vconstructionfor a baler; such mechanism actuated directly from the main crank and safety means for preventing damage in the event that the feeder head is inadvertently blocked. A particular object of theinvention is to provide improved chassisconstruction in a baler to facilitate transportationand including an improved tongue orv draw bar forattaching the baler te a propelling vehicle and adapted to support the baler for operation. Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings inwhich:

` Figure 1 is a plan View with parts broken away of a'baler embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a right side elevation of the machine with parts broken away to show interior features.

Figz. 3 isa detail of certain mechanism shown in Fig.

Similar reference characters have been applied to the same parts throughout the specication and drawings. s I

As `seen in Fig. 2, the machine comprises` generally a baling chamber B mounted on an axle A and supported on wheels or other suitable ground engaging elements W, the chamber extending beyond the axle to form the main body portion ofthe machine and a support for the actuating mechanism generally designated as `M. A` draw bar D is pivoted to the extension of bale chamber B and by which the machine may be connected to a propelling vehicleand readily trailed therefrom for transportation. An engine E of any suitable or well-known type may be mounted in the region of draw bar D and connected for actuating mechanism M. A feeder head H is also provided for assisting in introducing material into the chamber B in the usual manner.

Returning .to a more detailed description of the machine, baling chamber B, as more particularly shown in Fig. 1, comprises an upper channel section member 5 and a lower channel member generally designated as 6, the latter comprising a platef 1 having angle section `members 8 and 9 fixed therewith toform the flanges.

Plate 1 extends approximately to a point I9 andmembers 8 and 9 extend through to a cross member II forming the forward extremity of the machine proper ,andV defining a shelf or extension for engine E.. Angle elements I2 and I3 are fixed with channel member` 5 and extend forwardly tol a.cros'smember I4 rearwardly of said shelf, members 8, 9, I2 and I3 defining a box-like framework constituting the extension of bale chamber B on which mechanism M is mounted. A plate I5 extends substantially vertically between members 8 and I2 (Fig. 2) and a plate IB also extends substantially vertically between members 9 and I3, uprights I5a. and Ilia. being spaced from plates I5 and Iland extended between members I2 and 8, and I3 and 9, respectively` s Plates I5rand I6 as will beapparent from Fig. 1 constitute supporting means for themain or crank shaft I1 and for a gear case generally designated as I8. Crank shaft I1 has a journal portion I9, with which is engaged a pitman 2U in the present instance xed with a plunger head generally designated as 2|, Fig. `2. Plunger head 2| comprises a plate 22 fastened transversely of pitman 29 inv any `suitable manner as by welding, and it may be braced as by brackets or the like such as 23, interposed between the pitman 20 and the plate 22. Plate 22 has xed therewith as by bolts 2li- 24 slide blocks or guides 25 and 26 which contact the side portions or plates 21 and Y28 of sbalefchamber4 B and guide the plunger for re-l ciprocating movement. Any suitable type of slide bearing may be used at this point, although in the present instance hard wood impregnated with oil has proved satisfactory. A third slide block 29 is fixed across the lower edge of plate 22 and slides on plate 1 constituting the major portion of above mentioned channel member 6, being the bottom of the baling chamber. Block 29 may be held in place on plate 22by bolts such as 30.

Plunger 2l accordingly performs a combination reciprocating and oscillating movement which is satisfactory for baling purposes and the construction avoids the complication of the hinge or wrist pin commonly provided between pitman 20 and head 2|.

Plate 22 has connected therewith as by a hinge 3|', a plate 32 of a width substantially that of the baling chamben and having a downwardly extended arm 33 connected by a spring or the like 34 with an anchorage`35 on pitman 20. The tension of spring 3'4 acts through lever arm 33 to causea continuous upward urging of plate 32. Plate 32 is accordingly pressed against the` underside of suitable rails or strips 36' and 31, Fig. 1, projecting inwardly from above mentioned angle membersrIZ and I3Vrespectiv`ely. Strips36 and 31 terminate at a cross-member 38, Fig. 2, above the bale chamber and deningthe outward margin of a feed opening generally designated as 39, in a platform 49. s

s Platform 40 is supportedon cross-members 4I its functions regardless of the oscillating move;

ment of plunger 2I. A ilap 44 of fabric or other suitable flexible material may be carried-by cross-f member 38 to close the necessary clearancespace between the plunger 22 andfcros'ls-vmember A tucker generally designated as 45 of any suitable or well-known type is provided at the outer end of opening 39 andftorms.no4 fnartfo the present invention.

Any suitable retaining dog structurey `gener-`vr ally designated as 46 may also be provided and mounted on plates 21 and 28. These dog constructions forming no part of the present invention are not further described.

Likewise, block dropping means generally designated-as41 of any well-known type is contemplated. At the outer end of bale chamber B, compressing means as 48 of any suitable or wellknown type may be provided and abale receiving chute or member 49 maybe-hinged at 58 or other- -wisesuitably supported from channel member 6 vto -be disposed `in an inclined or substantially horizontal position when in use. Y

Turning now to the actuating means for pitman 28, above mentioned engine E has a crank or other driving shaft I, Fig. -1, carrying a pulley 52 dri-ving as by means of -a belt v53, a large pulley oriiy wheel generally designated as 54.v Belt 53 -may be caused to wrap pulley 52--by means of an idler 55, pressing upwardly for example against -t-he lower run of belt 53 as particularly seen Vin Fig. 2.

Crank shaft I 'I at its end remote from housing I 8 is journaled ina bearing 55a, Fig. 2, carried by above mentioned plate I6. Bearing 55E may be of any suitable type. Shaft I1 extends outwardlya short distance beyond bearing 55a 'and has iixed therewith a crank A56 for actuating above mentioned feeder head H.

Feeder head as more particularly shown in Figs. 1 and v2, is carried on a standard or frame comprising uprights 51 and 58 fixed in any suitable manner respectively with strips 36 and 31 and angle members I2 and I3 and braced as by angle plates 59 and 68. Uprights 51' and 58 are connected with each other as by a tubular element 6I, and brace rods or the like 62 and 63 are iixed with the upper extremities of uprig'hts 51 and 58 as by stud bolts 64 and 65 of suitable or well-known type. Brace rods 62 and '63 extendr forwardly and downwardly to members I2 and I3 respectively, where they are anchored as by bolts 66 and 61. -In this manner a relatively rigid standard is provided for carrying the feeder head.

Feeder head H 'is moved in a sweeping up and down movement so as to enter opening 39 by means of a suitable parallel motion to be presently described. The head itself comprises a block or the like 68, Fig. 2, to which are fastened, as by bolts 653-69, feeder boards 18 and 1I, extending downwardly and spaced apart as by a spreader 12. Spreader -12 is held in position as bybolts 13 which also pass through feeder board plates 14-14. Plates 14 are providedA with a plurality of holes 1-5-15 as seen more particu- 4 larly in Fig. 3 so that they may be adjusted in their relation to the feeder boards 10 and 1I. Plates 14 are also provided with teeth 16 for more securely engaging hay or other material to be baled.

Board 10 has an abutment or nose 11 of suitable or well-known construction vfor inserting a dividing block in the bale chamber in familiar manner forming no part of the present in- Vention.

Block 68 has a pin 18 therein through which it Vis supported by the above mentioned parallel mechanism. Another pin or bolt 19 spaced from pin 18'is engaged by the parallel mechanism for guiding the motion of the head.

The albove mentioned parallel motion includes an Aframegenerally designated as 88 which, as more particularly shown in Fig. 1, includes a pin or shaft 8i passing through and journaled in above mentioned tubular portion 6I and fixed in any suitable manner with a side element 82 and also with a side element 83, side elements 82 and 83 defining the outer margins of the frame. Elements 82 and 83 are pivotally secured Yat their upper ends to block 68 by pin 18. A brace element 84 has a portion 85 substantially parallel to pin 8l and extending across between above mention-ed elements 82 and 83 and suitably fixed therewith at its points of contact as for example by welding, although it is to be understood that other means is contemplated vfor securing the parts together. Another portion 86 extends transversely to shaft 8| and spaced somewhat from portion 83 to form a strong actuating arm generally designated as 81. Portion 81 is curved upwardly at about the point where it engages shaft -8I as particularly shown in Fig. 2 and a block 88 is'engaged between portion 88 and member 83 for connecting with an actuating pitman to nce described presently. 'I'he oscillating of A frame will accordingly cause up and down movement of head H.

Portion 82 and upright 51 move together in the manner of a shear, and in order to avoid danger of injury to persons or objects inadvertently inserted between them, a plate 89 is xed with upright 51 between it and portion 82 so that insertion of the fingers, or small objects between the moving parts is impossible.

To guide the movement and insure its taking place in the proper path, braces 90 and 9| extend respectively from bolts 64 and 65 to pin or bolt 19. These braces may be substantially parallel or otherwise related to the frame 8!) to maintain the desired motion, as seen more par' ticularly in Fig. 3.

Block 8S has trunnions 92 and 93 journaled respectively in portion 86 and clement 83, thereby supporting the block between the two sections of arm 81. A connecting rod or pitman 94 passes through block 88 and carries a nut or other abutment 95 engaged therewith normally by the pressure of a spring 9.6 acting upwardlyv against block 88 and downwardly against an abutment 91, suitably ilxed withrod '94. Rod 94 'has a bearing portion 98 journaled on a pin 99 xed with above mentioned crank '56. Rotation of. crank 56 will accordingly actuate rod 94, arm 81, A frame 88v and accordingly head H. The force of spring 96 is so chosen as to normally maintain nut 95 and block 88 in firm engagement, but in theV event that movement of head 'H is blocked for any reason, rod 94mayV slide through block 88 with acorresponding compression of spring 96 which willl relieve the parts fromex' 5 cessive stress and usually prevent damage. A slight adjustment of the range of movement of head H may be obtained by adjusting nut 95, and the eiect of the feeder head may also be varied by changing the position of plates 14-14.

Draw bar D, as particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises in the present instance a tubular or other suitable element engaged between brackets |0| and |02 as by a pin, bolt, or the like |03, brackets |02 and |0| being xed for example on a cross member |04 or the like extending between above mentioned members 8 and 9. Member |00 may be spaced in various positions below members 8 and 9 to give a suitable adjustment of the front end of the baler relatively to a propelling vehicle or the like. A quadrant or the like, comprising in the present instance upwardly directed plates and |06, extends on either side of a forwardly projecting channel or bracket |01 or the like through which may be extended a pin |08, member |01 being fixed for example with above mentioned Icross member Plates |05 and |06 are rigidly connected with element |00 and may be provided with a plurality of holes IDS- |09 which may be engaged by pin |08 extending also through suitable openings in bracket member |01 to position draw bar portion |00 in the desired attitude relatively to members 3 and 9. Other methods are -contemplated for securing the draw bar in position. Thus it may be positioned to correspond with the height of the hitch on nearly any vehicle, and it is contemplated that it may be lowered to a position to engage the ground for supporting the baler for operation, even when no vehicle is present. Portion |00 may be provided with an eye l0 or any other suitable or well-known means for attaching it to a propelling vehicle.

The operation of the above disclosed machine is thought to be clear from the previous description and need not be further described, except to say that engine E drives through fly wheel 54 and the reduction gears in casing I8, the crank l1, actuating through pitman 20, plunger head 2|. The necessity for a wrist pin is eliminated by fastening head 2| rigidly to pitman 20 and allowing the head to oscillate on block,29 as it slides. Crank |1 carries and actuates through an auxiliary crank 5B, a connecting rod 94 and A frame 80, a feeder head I-I which acts to introduce material into the baling chamber through an opening 3B. For setting up the machine .for operation, draw bar D may be lowered to rest on the ground and for transportation draw bar D may be readily adjusted to various positions to suit the height of the propelling vehicle.

The above being a complete description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In a vehicle, a frame including a cross member, an axle arranged in supporting relation to the frame, and to the rear of the center of gravity thereof, a movable draft and supporting element pivoted to said cross member, a second cross member on the frame and spaced from the pivotal connection of said supporting element with the rst cross member, spaced plates extending generally upwardly from said element so as to move adjacent said second cross member when said element is pivoted about said first cross member, a bracket projecting from said second cross mem-ber between said spaced plates, said bracket providing an opening and said plates providing a series of pairs oi openings alignable with the opening in said bracket by pivotal movement of said element, and a pin traversing the opening in said bracket and one of the pairs of openings in said plates for securing said element in a selected position.

2. In a vehicle, a frame, an axle arranged in supporting relation to the frame and to the rear of the center of gravity thereof, a movable draft and supporting element pivoted to the frame, a bracket extending from the frame at a point spaced from the pivotal connection, spaced plates xedly connected with said element and extending generally upwardly therefrom in a position to include said bracket therebetween, said bracket providing an opening and said plates providing a series of pairs of openings alignable with the opening in said bracket by movement of said element about the pivotal connection, and a pin traversing the opening in said bracket and one of the pairs of openings in said plates for securing said element in a. selected position.

MARTIN A. RICHARDSON. 

